Automatic tail clamp for presses



Oct. l, 1935. G. w. JOHNSON AUTOMATIC TAIL CLAMP FOR PRESSES Filed Jan. l2, 1935 Patented oct. 1, 1935 orrso STATES Meer oFFlce 2,015,900 AUTMATIC TAIL CLAMP FOR PRESSES Application January 12, 1935, Serial No. 1,491

6 Claims.

l This invention relates to garment presses characterioed by pressing members including a padded work-receiving buck having a flexible face. More particularly the invention pertains to means for clamping the work against this face, in position to be pressed, as exemplified by the tail clamp for shirts which is familiar to the art, Such a tail clamp includes a band adjustable between a closed position extending across the face of the buck to hold the work against the latter, and an open position clear of the buck to permit positioning and removal of the work.

Heretofore in the art provision has been made for a clamping `motion of the band against the l buck as distinguished from the registering o1 the band over the buck. It is an cbj-ect of the present inventionto eliminate the necessity of such ciamping band motion; rPhe invention inciudes the provision of a clamping member located within the buck cooperative with the band member which is therewithout, and embraces the provision of separate motions for these clamping members by simple means in automatically timed relation.

The exact nature of this invention together with further objects and advantages thereof will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Figs. i and 2 are elevation views of an embodiment of the invention, in typical section as to certain of the working parts, Fig. 1 showing these parts as in open position, and Fig. 2 as in closed position; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same, showing the parts as in open position, and in dot dash lines indicating the closed position of some of them; Fig. 4 is a detail inhorizontal section as in the plane of line 1;4, Fig. 1.

With reference now to the drawing, I repre@ sents generally the buck of a garment press having a base 2 and a table 3. These parts will be recognized as typical in the art, the buck being horizontally disposedto receive the Work and beingcooperative with a pressing head, not shown but movable on the base 2 relative to the buck.

The buck I has a padded face, the padding including as here shown, a number of metallic spring elements t and a flexible cover 5 thereover and secured as by the spring straps 6.

For clamping the work upon the face of the buck, that the smooth lay of the work may be maintained during the pressing operation, a pair of clamping members are provided. One of these comprises a band 'I and the other a bar 8.

The band 1 is of metal, thin and narrow, as indicated in the drawing, and as usual inthe art.

It is supported upon a frame including a head part 8 to which the rearward end of the band is secured, and a rigidly associated arm Iil to which he iorward end of the band is secured. The head t is supported by a bracket Il for swinging adjustment about a vertical axis over the end of the buck between an open position removed from the buck as indicated in Fig. 3, and leaving the latter clear for access by the operator, and a closed position across the buck, as indicated in l broken lin-es in Fig. 3. The parts are so proportioned and arranged that the band 'I will just freeiy move over the face of the buck, lying closely adjacent thereto.

.Power means are provided for adjusting the i band between its two positions. For this purpose the head S is secured with a coaxial pinion I2 cooperative with a rack I3. The rack is actuated by a simpl-e fluid motor including a cylinder ifi in which a piston l5 moves, a spring I6 being io provided for return of the piston. This fluid motor is controlled by the operator through a handle ii of a valve which includes a piston i3 controiling the interconnection between a supply of fluid pressure through. the line i9, a line 2i] lead- 25 ing from the valve to the cylinder I4, and an eX- haust outlet 2l for the valve.

By the arrangement described it will be apparent that when the valve il is in its outermost position as indicated in Fig. l, the cylinder lil will have connection with the atmosphere by way of the line 20 and enhaust outlet 2 I, sothat the spring i5 will maintain the piston l5 with its associated rack I3 at the inner end or its stroke, and the band 'l carried by its frame, in open po- 35 sition. When it is desired that the band be moved to closed position as indicated in Fig. 2, the valve 'Il is moved by the operator to the position therein shown, closing the exhaust outlet 2I and admitting the iiuid pressure from the line ill into 40 the line 2@ and to the cylinder Iii. This moves piston l5 against the spring ES, actuating the rack I3 and pinion iii to swing the frame to bring the band l to its closed position as shown in Fig. 2.

The bar 8 is preferably located within the padding ofthe buck I, that is, it is positioned to be `effective upon the inner face of the padding 4. It is disposed to be in registry, crosswise of the buck, with the band l' when the latter is in closed 50 position.

-The bar 8 is adjustable toward and from the band, to be cooperative therewith for clamping effect upon the cover 5 and whatever Work may be overlying the latter. For this purpose the bar 55 kfi() is supported on a vertically movable rod 22, the bar preferably having pivotal mounting on the rod so that the bar may accommodate itself to A`the contour of the band 1, with diierential effect, to distribute and equalize the clamping pressure.

That the bar 8 may have automatic actuation in timed relation with the band 1, lthe bar 22 has an associated actuating piston 23 movable in a cylinder 24, which in turn has connection by a line 25 with a port 2S in the side of the cylinder I4. This port 26 is so located that it will be uncovered as the band-actuating piston I5 has moved the band to closed position in registry with the bar 8. A line 27 provides a return connection from the cylinder 213 tothe line 20, the line 2l including a check valve 28 arranged to permit flow from the cylinder 24 toward the line 20 but prevent flow in the opposite direction. f

Clamping operation of the bar 8, relative to operation of the band l, will therefore be automatic, as follows: Comm-encing with the parts in open position as indicated in Fig. 1, admission of pressure to the line 20 by manipulation of the valve il will move the band l to closed position as already described, having no effect upon the bar 8 during this operation because of the check valve 28. As the band 'i attains closed position, however, its piston l5 uncovers the port 26 admitting fluid pressure through the line 25 to the bar-actuating piston 23. This raises the rod 22 forcing the bar 8 toward the band 'l with the vdesired clamping eiect, whichis maintained until shifting of the control valve Il.

- To return the parts to open position, this control valve is returned to the position of Fig. l. The Vfluid pressure from the cylinder 24 is immediately thereupon exhausted principally by way of the line 21 and check valve 28,'line 28 and exhaust outlet 2 l. A spring 23 may be provided for the purpose if necessary. Coincident with such evacuation of the cylinder 24, evacuation commences in the cylinder I4, the strap band 1 returning to open position, and the band opening motion commencing substantially as soon as the band is released from the clamping effect of the bar 8.

What I claim is:

l. In a buck having a iiexible cover with a work-receiving face, a pair of clamping members disposed on opposite sides of said cover and including a bar on the inside of the cover, and a band outside the cover, means for adjusting said band between an open position clear of said buck and a closed position over said face and in I registry with said bar, and means for adjusting bar toward and from said band when the latter is in said closed position, said bar being of substantial length across the buck and arranged to accommodate itself to said band to provide disistry with said bar, and means for adjusting said bar toward and from said band when the latter is in said closed position, said bar being replaceable relative to said band and mounted for differential movement to be self-accommodating thereagainst.

4. In a buck having a eXible cover with a work-receiving face, a pair of clamping members disposed on opposite `sides of said cover and including a bar on the inside of the cover, and a band outside the cover, means for adjusting said band between an open position clear of said buck and a closed position over said face and in registry with said bar, and means for adjusting said bar toward and from said band when the latter is in said closed position, actuating means for said adjusting means and providing for adjustment of said bar toward said band'automatically following adjustment of said band to closed position, and release of said bar before opening adjustment of said band.

5. In a buck having a flexibe cover with a work-receiving face, a pair of clamping members disposed on opposite sides of said cover and including a bar on the inside of the cover, and a band outside the cover, means for adjusting said band between an open position clear of'said buck and a closed position over said face and in registry with said bar, and means for adjusting said bar toward and from said band when the.

Yadjustment ofsaid band, said actuating means including a pair of uid motors one for each clamping member, the band motor having port means and the bar motor beingarranged for actuation responsive thereto in closing operation, and valve means providing opening operation of saidbar means independent of said port means.

6. In combination with a buck. having a workreceiving face, a pair of clamping members disposed to be on opposite sides of a stretch of work upon said face, said members comprising a band above said face and a bar therebeneath, means for adjusting said band between an open position clear of said buck and a closed position over said face and in registry with said bar, and means for adjusting said bar toward and from said band when the latter is in said closed position.

GEORGE W. JOHNSON. 

